Health and Safety Policy for Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance

This Health and Safety policy sets out how our gardening company undertakes gutter cleaning and related gutter maintenance tasks across our service area. It explains responsibilities, safe working procedures, and the controls we use to protect staff, clients and the public. The purpose is to ensure every gutter cleaning service is delivered with consistent risk management, using appropriate training, equipment and supervision. All employees must read, understand and apply this policy in day-to-day clearing of gutters, downpipes and associated roofline work.

We recognise that gutter clearance creates specific hazards including working at height, manual handling of debris, slips from wet surfaces and the potential for working near electricity lines. Managers will ensure that a documented risk assessment is in place before any job begins, and that controls are proportionate to the risk identified. Every operation will have a nominated competent person who can make on-the-spot decisions to stop work if conditions are unsafe.

Before starting a gutter cleaning job the team will complete a pre-work check: site access, condition of fascia and gutters, weather, traffic and pedestrian impact, plus any fragile roof areas. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection and footwear with slip-resistant soles are mandatory. For higher risk tasks, harnesses, fall-arrest systems and edge protection will be used as defined in the risk assessment for that property.

Our approach to safe operations emphasises elimination of hazards where possible. Where practical, we prefer to use mobile elevated work platforms or scaffold towers over ladders. When ladder use is unavoidable, ladder safety protocols apply: three-point contact, secure footings, ladder angle checks and a second person to steady the ladder. Ladder training and competency are required for those assigned to ladder-based gutter cleaning tasks.

Tools and powered equipment are maintained in good condition and inspected regularly. Chemicals for treating moss or algae are only used where necessary and applied by trained staff, following manufacturer instructions and COSHH principles. Waste from gutters is collected responsibly, separated where required and disposed of in line with environmental controls to avoid pollution of drains or gardens.

Manual handling risks are minimised by using suitable bins, scoops and vacuum systems to remove debris. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques and encouraged to ask for assistance with heavy or bulky loads. Operations will be planned to reduce repetitive strain and to rotate tasks when possible to protect long-term musculoskeletal health.

All operatives involved in gutter cleaning services receive induction training covering hazard recognition, safe use of equipment and emergency procedures. Refresher training is provided periodically and after any incident. Supervisors conduct toolbox talks to highlight job-specific concerns such as fragile roofing, nesting birds or seasonal risks like ice and high winds.

Emergency preparedness includes clear procedures for falls, cuts, and electrical contact. First aid kits are carried on-site and staff with enhanced first aid training are assigned to larger projects. Any incident or near-miss is recorded, investigated and used to improve safe systems of work and to update risk assessments.

Traffic management is applied where vehicle access or pedestrian routes are affected during a gutter cleaning visit. Signage, cones and, where required, trained banksmen are used to maintain a safe perimeter around work areas. We will liaise with property owners about access and any temporary changes to public or private footways during the operation.